Volunteer

June 17-23 – Refugee Week


One of the best family experiences our family had while our children were growing up was having two Vietnamese refugees (then referred to as “boat people”) live with us for about four months. The driver behind this initiative was my wife Pat, who worked in association with several local churches.

 Our refugees, Hung and his sister NaMey, had come from a refugee camp near Hong Kong.  In preparation for their arrival, the children (then 3,6 and 9) were told about the newcomers’ background, and in preparation, all learned how to use chop sticks. We were all surprised at the first meal: while our children showed off their prowess with chop sticks Hung and Nam My used a knife and fork. So much for culture training!

Hung worked at a job of cutting up chickens and took ESL classes. In Vietnam he had been a cook in the Vietnamese army. Nam My went to ESL classes.  One of the most memorable nights was when we had the whole ESL class and their families for dinner – Hung cooked. These people were mainly from Vietnam – both North and South.  We were amazed that only a short time after shooting at each other here they were in our home socializing together.

Our children’s job was to look after the young Vietnamese children. The children, however, entertained themselves and had the discipline to do so in a small space.  Hung and Nam My eventually moved out and unfortunately, we lost track of them.  We understand Nam My got married and Hung went back to Vietnam.  Our children all remember this happening, and all agree it had a very positive impact on them.

This experience has been repeated in Canada many times since, most recently with people from Syria. While there are other situations of refugees returning home, and some getting into and creating trouble, most of the outcomes are extremely positive.  Many refugees have become contributing Canadians – often more so than people who have been here for several generations.   

In my opinion, with over 60 million people currently displaced, the refugee/displaced persons crisis is the biggest international people issue we have in the world.  Overall, I believe we in Canada have done a very good job in welcoming them to Canada and helping them integrate into our society. When I meet them, I always welcome them and tell them I am glad they are here. Certainly, the country has benefited.  All you need do is look at the last names of people who excel:  athletes, business and professional leaders and scholars.  Very few have an Anglicized name.  It should be noted all of these people are not refugees, but their families chose to come to Canada for a better life.

Our Rotary Club has an annual youth day recognizing high school youth who have contributed through volunteering and scholastic success.   Only two of the finalists in 2018 had parents who were born in Canada. We must remember everyone in our country, other than our Indigenous Peoples, are immigrants.  I have also found many of our newcomers are very interested in and identify with our Indigenous Peoples, partly because they have come from places where they were oppressed.  While bringing in people from other countries is a good thing to do, the best thing is to fix the problems in the countries from where they came.  Easy to say, often impossible to do. Coming to a new country is a difficult thing to do. Imagine how you would feel if you lost your home and were afraid to go out because of violence or being arrested or living in a refugee camp, and then moved to a different country where you did not have a job and could not speak the language.

Let’s make a special effort to welcome refugees. We all benefit!!!

Till next time,

Chris Snyder

PS – If you liked my story and would like to read more, you can buy my book at: https://hilborn-civilsectorpress.com/products/creating-opportunities-a-volunteers-memoir

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